Why You’ll Love these Grilled Sausages with Onions and Fennel
Comfort food enthusiasts, get ready for your new favorite meal.
These street-corner inspired sausages combine the savory depth of Italian links with the sweet caramelization of grilled onions and the subtle anise notes of fennel. I’m obsessed with how the vegetables transform over open flame, developing complex flavors that complement the juicy sausages perfectly.
The beauty lies in simplicity—just a handful of quality ingredients, a hot grill, and minimal prep work.
And talk about versatile? Serve these on split rolls with spicy brown mustard for casual backyard dinners, or without buns alongside other grilled favorites for something more refined.
What Ingredients are in Grilled Sausages with Onions and Fennel?
The magic of this street-corner inspired recipe comes from a handful of simple, quality ingredients that transform into something extraordinary on the grill. I’m always amazed by how the humble onion and fennel develop such complex sweetness when kissed by flames, perfectly complementing the savory, juicy sausages.
And isn’t that the beauty of great cooking? Just a few well-chosen components coming together to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
- 1 small fennel bulb
- 2 large yellow onions
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
- 6 fresh sausages (preferably Italian, about 4-5 ounces each and 1¼ inches thick)
- 6 hot dog buns or rolls, split
- ½ cup spicy brown mustard or coarse grain mustard (to taste)
When shopping for this recipe, the sausage selection matters most. Look for plump, fresh Italian sausages—either sweet or hot, depending on your preference.
The fennel should feel firm and heavy for its size, with bright green fronds (though we won’t use them in this recipe). As for the mustard, splurge on something with real character; a grainy, spicy variety will stand up beautifully to the rich sausages and sweet vegetables.
And those rolls? They’re just vehicles for all this deliciousness, but sturdy ones will hold up better to the juicy fillings.
How to Make these Grilled Sausages with Onions and Fennel
The secret to these street-style sausages lies in properly preparing the vegetables. Start by trimming 1 small fennel bulb—remove the stalks and outer leaves, then slice the bulb lengthwise into delicate 1/8-inch slices, keeping the root end intact so they don’t fall apart on the grill. For the 2 large yellow onions, slice them crosswise into 1/2-inch rings.
These thickness measurements might seem fussy, but they guarantee everything cooks evenly, with the vegetables becoming tender at the same rate as the sausages get perfectly browned. A light brushing of 1½ tablespoons olive oil on both sides of the vegetables, followed by a generous seasoning of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, sets the stage for caramelization magic.
Now for the grilling process, which transforms these humble ingredients into something extraordinary. Place your seasoned fennel and onion slices directly over medium heat and let them sizzle for 12-14 minutes, turning once halfway through. You’re looking for that perfect tenderness—soft enough to bite through easily but not so soft they fall apart.
While the vegetables cook, grill your 6 fresh Italian sausages (those plump 4-5 ounce beauties) until they’re juicy inside with a gloriously crisp exterior. Once the vegetables cool slightly, remove the root bits from the fennel and chop both fennel and onions into 1/2-inch pieces—creating the perfect topping size for nestling into your rolls.
Assembly is where it all comes together. Split open your 6 hot dog buns or rolls, add a grilled sausage to each, and heap generously with the grilled fennel-onion mixture. The final touch? A good slathering of ½ cup spicy brown mustard or coarse grain mustard—as much or as little as your taste buds desire.
The contrast between the sweet caramelized vegetables, savory sausage, and tangy mustard creates a street food experience that’s somehow both humble and sophisticated. And isn’t that the best kind of cooking? Simple food made with care, delivering complex flavors without complex techniques.
Grilled Sausages with Onions and Fennel Substitutions and Variations
While this classic grilled sausage recipe delivers amazing results as written, I’m all about adapting recipes to what you have on hand or your personal preferences.
Don’t have fennel? Try sliced bell peppers or even celery for that slight anise flavor. For the sausages themselves, swap Italian for bratwurst, chorizo, or even chicken sausages if you’re watching calories. No grill? A cast iron pan works beautifully—I’ve done this many times during winter months.
The mustard can be traded for aioli, pesto, or even a quick relish. And those buns? Pretzel rolls or crusty baguette pieces make this street food feel downright fancy.
What to Serve with Grilled Sausages with Onions and Fennel
When pairing side dishes with these magnificent grilled sausages, I’ve found that balancing the richness of the meat with lighter, fresher elements creates the perfect meal.
A crisp green salad with vinaigrette cuts through the savoriness beautifully. Try arugula with lemon dressing, or maybe cucumber and tomato with herbs.
Roasted potato wedges or simple potato salad? Can’t go wrong with either. My family devours them.
For something different, consider grilled corn on the cob or marinated bell peppers. The sweetness complements those caramelized onions wonderfully.
Don’t forget crusty bread to soak up all those delicious juices. Trust me, you’ll want to capture every drop.
Final Thoughts
After grilling these sausages countless times for friends and family, I’ve become convinced they’re the perfect casual meal for almost any occasion.
The caramelized onions and fennel create this amazing sweet-savory combo that transforms ordinary sausages into something special.
What I love most is how versatile this recipe is. Use whatever sausages you prefer—spicy Italian, chicken apple, or even veggie links.
The technique stays the same, and the results are always impressive.
Try serving them at your next backyard gathering or game day. Trust me, your guests will be hovering around the grill, drinks in hand, waiting for seconds.
Grilled Sausages With Onions and Fennel
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Trim the fennel bulb by removing stalks and outer leaves. Slice the bulb lengthwise into 1/8-inch slices, keeping the root end intact.
- Slice the yellow onions crosswise into 1/2-inch rings.
- Brush both sides of the fennel slices and onion rings with olive oil, then season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Preheat grill to medium heat. Place the seasoned fennel and onion slices directly on the grill and cook for 12-14 minutes, turning once halfway through, until tender but not falling apart.
- While the vegetables are cooking, grill the sausages until they’re juicy inside with a crisp exterior, turning occasionally for even cooking.
- Once the vegetables are done, let them cool slightly. Remove the root portions from the fennel and chop both the fennel and onions into 1/2-inch pieces.
- Place a grilled sausage in each split roll, then top generously with the grilled fennel-onion mixture.
- Finish with a dollop of spicy brown or coarse grain mustard to taste and serve immediately.
